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| comment | | "parent_author":"",<br>"parent_permlink":"blurtafrica",<br>"author":"leifasaur",<br>"permlink":"17-communities-coming-together-to-protect-43km-of-river-as-a-hippo-sanctuary",<br>"title":"17 Communities coming together to protect 43km of river as a hippo sanctuary",<br>"body":"![Ghana 2011 1613.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/5da734abd19d351661e98f96f95781f677a75e01.JPG)\n\nWechiau hippo sanctuary is located about 45 minutes drive South West of Wa which is the regional capital of the Upper West in Ghana. This hippo sanctuary runs along 43km of the Black Volta river which is the border between Ghana and Burkina Faso. 17 communities have come together to protect the hippos that call the river home.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1585.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/7400a79f83915fcb8117bcf21f8cab9ca216be9f.JPG)\nIf you get to visit Wechiau you will most likely start your journey from Wa as it has a number of hotels to choose from and the closest population center. Next stop will be the community of Wechiau where the palace above is seen. The community based reserve has an office there where you can pick and choose how you want to experience Wechiau.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1581.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/eaa676b341f5f479bf3367f7819c28828e6da908.JPG)\nA bulletin board in the welcome office has some picture and highlights of some of the things to do in the area.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1580.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/173c7201e7f986101b097e673ff1d18ab80d4ab1.JPG)\nThere is also a map showing the sanctuary and places of interest.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1586.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/3bfa835dd38af60b4bfe73b308e1abc82b7e74b6.JPG)\nFrom Wechaiu the dirt roads start to get into the heart of the sanctuary.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1587.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/fa02928b27768f5c7ac7ea45bf35c0c10f70e3a4.JPG)\nThere are a few settlements and villages along the way. It takes about another 30 minutes on dirt roads before reaching the sanctuary guest house.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1653.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/275c0512eeabdff84570e345c166a8701a11866a.JPG)\nThe guest house is a simple structure with some dorm type rooms and basically a roof over our heads and walls to keep mosquitoes out. Something bit my dads toe while sleeping though so I cant really say it kept all the animals out.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1614.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/213ce4ca5381005d41bc681e82e5c8caff348faf.JPG)\nThe evening time and early mornings are the best times to take a river safari. The river is about a half mile from the guest house.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1682.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/4eef40eaab89966f006b760fa34b13dbd8136369.JPG)\nThe whole area between the guest house and the river have been affected by a bush fire making for a desolate landscape.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1615.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/60c2082cca93b1d3c93e1fa45715b25dbd72d758.JPG)\nThe river landing is used primarily by locals for fishing and also there are kids that walk to the river and cross the river into Ghana and then continue on foot to school each day from Burkina Faso the country just across the river.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1618.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/f6859fcf34e6d8fd668ab5b732c0a6f062cdaffc.JPG)\n\n![Ghana 2011 1619.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/aa26ccd42ef49c653e3c60f7f6567ff59d0d3d22.JPG)\nOnce on the river our river guide uses his knowledge of where the hippos like to be and tips from other fishermen along the water to keep an eye out for them.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1626.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/97177e429854a62990b754173863026969dd3878.JPG)\nHippos are not as easy to find or as picturesque as you might imagine. They spend almost all of their time submersed in the water feeding and grazing. It is very rare to see one outside the water in the day time. At night they can come out of the water to do additional feeding,<br> using the bathroom and whatever else hippos like to do in the middle of the night. Like this picture though the most you will likely see of them is their head or the top of their head,<br> the nose,<br> ears and eyes.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1629.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/ec06d5277a30d1dbf14b8bb9616563d0204dfa8f.JPG)\nThis guy is blasting some air out of its nostrils making some puffs of water in the air. Hippos are the most dangerous animal in Africa and are responsible for the most animal deaths in Africa. It is hard to believe as they look slow and big and cuddly. They have teeth a couple of feet long and are very territorial. They are very fast in and out of the water also. The fishermen and boats men in the river have found after protecting the hippos they are much gentler and less territorial. One of the big side benefits of conservation in this case.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1633.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/71875eeb8396143cd1f3fd2847612baba41ba50f.JPG)\nNow the fishermen and communities coexist in harmony with the hippos and the communities get some development and tourism money from the project.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1645.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/27de722a8b1c0c9da9c99e95728126c27209759c.JPG)\n\n![Ghana 2011 1646.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/6faec7c611a088325e95076d93b53ff4af64f39c.JPG)\n\n![Ghana 2011 1647.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/c24f013ae4bc8135edee2338dcbafe9030ded31c.JPG)\n\n![Ghana 2011 1650.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/7662b90296bce7f75ebf6d959d4ba05973d636ac.JPG)\n\n![Ghana 2011 1657.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/89badf9cf13bc048e20e2fa8a18bd7fcb93c0a15.JPG)\nSunset falls on the river and shadows get longer it is then a good time to retire until the next morning. If you are very brave you can sleep on a tree platform to hear the hippos coming out at night.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1595.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/08cfd078c58c00c93416d28717581e108b069f15.JPG)\nThe new day comes and one of the hot places in town is the water hole. These kids found it quite funny to see some white people pumping some water.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1596.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/8bf9d34ce7ffc03811b4aa72cc750416983547e1.JPG)\nThe people in the area are the Lobi people. They live in interesting compound that can be found throughout the area. Here is a grain silo at one of these family compounds.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1598.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/1282adcb5a8aa7faedc388e0b2fd0bd6f16007c2.JPG)\nMud construction is used this keeps the inside of the houses cool during the day and is warm enough at night during the cooler part of year inside or in poor weather. The roofs are often used as sleeping during the hot times.\n\n\n![Ghana 2011 1600.JPG (https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/41019939e6a62bb94c079f5537701415e7367b76.JPG)\nThere are places built into the house for grinding and processing millet.\n\n\n![ghana_2011_1602.jpg (https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQmUkBvKwoFbGXe5wpCHKUnmXuiG9LxqWrcrTCpuCMFUBXN\/ghana_2011_1602.jpg)\n\n\nThe family dog enjoying a nap on the cool floor in the house.\n\n![ghana_2011_1603.jpg (https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQmRFiUVRxjyGAsHT3o3xAbSKBscQyErDMnyHm49P1TfdVf\/ghana_2011_1603.jpg)\nThis is an effective village fridge. As water slowly wicks through the clay pot and evaporates it cools the condense of the clay vessel compared to the outside temperature.\n\n![ghana_2011_1604.jpg (https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQmU18ETrDnNYaB2bCpU4Lb3wvNHBS3M9Fi33hveti2SKLo\/ghana_2011_1604.jpg)\nA zylophone on the wall. Under each key is a gorde with an opening for the sound from the key to enter it. In each gorde is the silk from a spider baby sack stretched over a second opening. This creates a very kazoo like effect,<br> that creates a very interesting sound.\n\n![ghana_2011_1609.jpg (https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQmUtDxorKtJVdN4EzdXWaMcivE23PuyxM7fL9JaXE94MY7\/ghana_2011_1609.jpg)\n\n![ghana_2011_1606.jpg (https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQma23gTEupstDNJ8ujFDQzvDAaZMcyRSijVfTsUrbUearR\/ghana_2011_1606.jpg)\n\n![ghana_2011_1608.jpg (https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQmTiUhxbiUUXoxTV4p5wMgDUwsTwLgQ3JsP8RnR7fmNgX1\/ghana_2011_1608.jpg)\nSince the root tops are an extension to the Lobi's peoples houses,<br> they use it for many things,<br> drying foods,<br> sleeping,<br> and even communicating and seeing over long distances. It is no wonder that they have their own unique latter. From the roofs it is like getting a whole new view of the area.\n\n![ghana_2011_1667.jpg (https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQmQTv6PBWzHSpgrbwrgndJeXm2ViYm7ygAbrTkx47NytsR\/ghana_2011_1667.jpg)\n\nThanks for taking another adventure with me. All photos were taken myself with a Canon Eos Rebel in January 2011.",<br>"json_metadata":" \"tags\":[\"blurtafrica\",<br>\"adventure\",<br>\"blurtlife\",<br>\"travel\",<br>\"blurtphoto\",<br>\"photoblurt\",<br>\"photography\",<br>\"blurttribe\",<br>\"blurtconnect\" ,<br>\"image\":[\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/5da734abd19d351661e98f96f95781f677a75e01.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/7400a79f83915fcb8117bcf21f8cab9ca216be9f.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/eaa676b341f5f479bf3367f7819c28828e6da908.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/173c7201e7f986101b097e673ff1d18ab80d4ab1.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/3bfa835dd38af60b4bfe73b308e1abc82b7e74b6.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/fa02928b27768f5c7ac7ea45bf35c0c10f70e3a4.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/275c0512eeabdff84570e345c166a8701a11866a.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/213ce4ca5381005d41bc681e82e5c8caff348faf.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/4eef40eaab89966f006b760fa34b13dbd8136369.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/60c2082cca93b1d3c93e1fa45715b25dbd72d758.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/f6859fcf34e6d8fd668ab5b732c0a6f062cdaffc.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/aa26ccd42ef49c653e3c60f7f6567ff59d0d3d22.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/97177e429854a62990b754173863026969dd3878.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/ec06d5277a30d1dbf14b8bb9616563d0204dfa8f.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/71875eeb8396143cd1f3fd2847612baba41ba50f.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/27de722a8b1c0c9da9c99e95728126c27209759c.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/6faec7c611a088325e95076d93b53ff4af64f39c.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/c24f013ae4bc8135edee2338dcbafe9030ded31c.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/7662b90296bce7f75ebf6d959d4ba05973d636ac.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/89badf9cf13bc048e20e2fa8a18bd7fcb93c0a15.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/08cfd078c58c00c93416d28717581e108b069f15.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/8bf9d34ce7ffc03811b4aa72cc750416983547e1.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/1282adcb5a8aa7faedc388e0b2fd0bd6f16007c2.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/img.blurt.world\/blurtimage\/leifasaur\/41019939e6a62bb94c079f5537701415e7367b76.JPG\",<br>\"https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQmUkBvKwoFbGXe5wpCHKUnmXuiG9LxqWrcrTCpuCMFUBXN\/ghana_2011_1602.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQmRFiUVRxjyGAsHT3o3xAbSKBscQyErDMnyHm49P1TfdVf\/ghana_2011_1603.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQmU18ETrDnNYaB2bCpU4Lb3wvNHBS3M9Fi33hveti2SKLo\/ghana_2011_1604.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQmUtDxorKtJVdN4EzdXWaMcivE23PuyxM7fL9JaXE94MY7\/ghana_2011_1609.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQma23gTEupstDNJ8ujFDQzvDAaZMcyRSijVfTsUrbUearR\/ghana_2011_1606.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQmTiUhxbiUUXoxTV4p5wMgDUwsTwLgQ3JsP8RnR7fmNgX1\/ghana_2011_1608.jpg\",<br>\"https:\/\/images.ecency.com\/DQmQTv6PBWzHSpgrbwrgndJeXm2ViYm7ygAbrTkx47NytsR\/ghana_2011_1667.jpg\" ,<br>\"app\":\"blurt\/0.1\",<br>\"format\":\"markdown\" " | | comment_options | "author":"leifasaur",
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